Do you remember exactly where you were 24 hours ago? A week? A month? A year? 8 years?

Let’s say it was the day you got married. Or had a baby. Or your baby got married. Or had a baby. Or someone you loved very much died.

It’s easier to remember when it’s an anniversary.

Lifecycle celebrations and anniversaries are like that. But for most of us, only parts of the days and memorable, not all the details of what you did every moment.

8 years ago from the day I wrote this (February 10) I was at Virginia Mason Hospital and Norman was getting his eviction notice. All day. And since I was pretty unconscious, I have pretty much no memory of the day. But it’s an anniversary nevertheless.

Every ANniversary (see how I did that?) I am very aware of the day. “By this time, I was doing that. By this time, they were doing that. By this time, I was in recovery…”

It’s been a pretty easy ride for me. Over the years, some stories are better, better recovery, hearing preserved, balance restored….Others not so much. I am grateful everyday.

Working on balance (thank you FitnessEvolution and CorePhysio.)

Still deaf in one ear (my left, in case you are keeping track) and recently learned that my ability to hear certain decibel levels in my right ear has improved.

And my sensitivity to loud noises is extremely protective of my “good” ear.

Nevertheless, I know at some point, I may be one of those people who loses functional hearing. I’ve been trying to recover my receptive signing “skills.” I write it that was because I’m not sure if they were ever good. In a crowded, noisy place, I am lost. And what’s the point of being able to sign (or at least finger spell) if I can’t understand it from someone else?

So, for the third time (third time’s a charm, right?) I’m returning to studying ASL and trying to incorporate it into my life. I’ll do this on the cheap, and grab free tutorials off the internet. If I can search for anything DIY on YouTube, why not??

It would make things SO MUCH EASIER for me, (and it’s all about me, right?) if more people knew sign language. In my dream world……
If at parties, in crowded rooms meetings. the person trying to tell me a story or ask a question could sign a little bit. IT’S SO HARD TO HEAR ACROSS A LONG TABLE.

But OMG you can communicate THROUGH GLASS with ASL.

There are a few YouTube channels that teach ASL vocabulary, (Bill Vicars, Ashley Clark Fry, ASL That) and I’m now subscribed to them all, and finding new ones every day.

The number 7 (七, Pinyin: qī (Mandarin) “chut” (Cantonese) symbolizes “togetherness”. It is a lucky number for relationships. It is also recognized as the luckiest number in the West, and is one of the rare numbers that is great in both Chinese and many Western cultures. It is a lucky number in Chinese culture, because it sounds alike to the Chinese word 起 (Pinyin: qǐ) in Mandarin meaning arise, and also 气 (Pinyin: qì) meaning life essence.

There are Seven days in the week

There are seven colors in the rainbow. A beautiful huge rainbow followed six days of freezing temperatures, snow and icy rain

There are seven wonders of the world.

7-11 is where one of my favorite brothers-in-law works.

I grew up being a huge fan of 7-up artwork by Peter Max, who I ALMOST met in Florida this past fall.

There are seven fundamental types of catastrophes. Two of my favorites are:

1. The butterfly effect is the concept that small causes can have large effects.

2. A snowball effect is a process that starts from an initial state of small significance and builds upon itself, becoming larger (graver, more serious), and also perhaps potentially dangerous or disastrous (a vicious circle, a “spiral of decline”), though it might be beneficial instead (a virtuous circle). The common analogy is with the rolling of a snowball down a snow-covered hillside. As it rolls the ball will pick up more snow, gaining more mass and surface area, and picking up even more snow and momentum as it rolls along.

Both of these a strong reminders of the ripples that are the result of my surgery. I am a lucky woman.

If you are a number nerd like me, here’s a lot more stuff on 7s: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7_(number)

The date quickly approaches that I am coming up on 7 years since Norman was evicted in 2010. This morning I went in to Seattle Virginia Mason Hospital for my follow up MRI.

It’s been two years since the last time I had my brain scanned. I think I’ve had just over a dozen MRIs since they first found Norman the Neuroma in 2009. I asked my doc after his “you are good to go” two years ago, if I could be on the five year plan. He said no. But, he did say that if this year shows no growth, we could talk about it.

The good (GREAT) news is, I am now on the five year plan!! Scar tissue is stable….a constant reminder of where I have been, and an equal reminder that I still have stuff to do.

Maybe sometime in the past seven years you have talked about me behind my back, about my having a brain tumor. Pretty often, I get the feeling someone I know is talking about me. Behind my back. To someone I might not know. Because I had a brain tumor.

Maybe to a person I might not know, who thinks they might have a brain tumor.
And the person I know, tells them about me.

Or maybe to a person i might not know who has similar symptoms to mine
And the person I know, tells them about me.

Either way, the person I know, sometimes, gives the person I might not know, my contact information. Sometimes, the person I might not know gets in touch with me, and we talk about symptoms and “normal” and being scared. That’s how I sometimes feel too.

Until your doctor tells you that you DON’T HAVE an Acoustic Neuroma, and you think you might, keep at it until you get an MRI with contrast.
Until your doctor tells you that you HAVE an Acoustic Neuroma, act as if you don’t.
If and when the doctor confirms that you have an AN, there will be people to support you.
If and when the doctor confirms that you DON’T have an AN, I look forward to being here to celebrate with you.

If someone I might not know goes through all of the above, and it turns out they don’t have a brain tumor, they are so relieved. And I am relieved for them.

And sometimes, they feel bad for me. That they may have gotten good news when I got bad news.

Don’t feel bad for me.

In the past two years, since my last MRI before today, I have met and talked to at least three dozen people who were diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma. People I never knew before, and people who were recently diagnosed. I traveled to China to attend an international Acoustic Neuroma conference. I’ve traveled to Dallas to attend National Board meetings for the Acoustic Neuroma Association. And I am planning a road trip down the east coast at the end of this month.

Today is National Poetry Day. I only know because #nationalpoetryday showed up on my newsfeed. I opened Google, no doodle? WTF Google? Anyway, one of my fellow AN Warriors posted this yesterday. I got permission to re-post, not publish. Not sure on FB if there is a difference, the internet is forever. Thank you Donna.

The serious one.

Mine!
“It’s fine,
it,s benign,
don’t worry.” they said.
“For years,
hidden deep,
inside of your head.”
“Don’t panic!”
“Relax.”
“We’ll just wait and see.”
So easy….
for them.
Not so for me.
A time-bomb,
just ticking,
no warning, no clue.
A wolf,
as mutton,
pure badness right through.
“GO AWAY!!!”
“GET OUT!!!”
“How DARE you lay claim?”
I’m me,
not you.
You have no name.
Thief!
You stole
a sense so dear.
Now halved,
the sound
of all I hear.
I’ll win!
Just wait…..
It may take time.
My brain,
not yours.
I’ll take what’s mine!

I am currently a member of five or six Facebook groups around the world that support Acoustic Neuroma patients and their loved ones. There are more than three dozen such groups right now. Some are large, some small, some open to the public, some closed, meaning you have to be added before you can read and add posts.

I am pretty sure that the majority of these groups were NOT around when I was diagnosed in 2009.

Before there was Facebook, there was the ANA Forum. When I was diagnosed, it fortunately led me to find a group of people who had traveled this path before me. The people I “met” gave me hope, inspired me with their strength, and comforted me with their support. Also, it remains a great option for those who are Facebook-averse.

I don’t know what there was before the Forum. Probably a black hole of isolation.

I felt compelled to say something, as we reach the end of the 2016 ANAwareness week.

In 2015, just a short year ago, I had a whole lot of time and energy to put towards having my community share in this event, and Mayor Kelli Linville even declared the first ANAwareness week in Bellingham.

Local Support group co-leader Craig Lang, Mayor Kelli Linville and Marla Bronstein receive the 2015 declaration of ANAwareness week for Bellingham, Washington

2015 Declaration

In the past 30+ years, so much has changed and continues to change with diagnosis and treatment of Acoustic Neuromas.

To celebrate the close of the first ANniversary of ANAwareness week in Bellingham, I could not be more proud to celebrate being a part of of my community and our official (and unofficial but always welcome) local support group members and participants, and those around the world who are continuously inspiring me with their energy and commitment to community.

I’m sharing this link to a post of my friend Ramona’s blog, not because has an AN. Because she doesn’t have an AN. But she thought she did. (Since my diagnosis, a lot of my friends worry that their symptoms of vertigo and tinnitus will result in an AN.)

Yet, Ramona continues to suffer from many of the same pre- and post-treatment symptoms many with AN do.

The Gala did not take place on my last night in Shanghai, but this will be my last post about the week that was. The only souvenir I really searched for was for something, anything that said “Pudong” as Ken thought I made up the name. Apparently, it’s easier to find something in China that says “Bellingham.” Pudong is more of a neighborhood name, so every souvenir either said “China” or “Shanghai.” I was able to use my mad Linguistic skills and eke this out of a street sign:

I’ll be printing t-shirts soon…

I did finally find some postcards that were incredible historical photos, and mailed them back to the states on my second day. As of today (three weeks later) they still have not arrived. I’ll keep you posted. (See how I did that?)

The Gala Event brought us to the East side of Shanghai, through the Renmin Rd. Tunnel. There were three or four busses to take the 200 or so delegates, faculty and guests.

The Gala took place in the Shanghai Classical Hotel, located in the Yuyuan Tourist Mart, a famous garden in Shanghai, was founded in 1875. Entering the lobby, on the walls hang pictures of the hotel in different developing periods, which make a visitor think he came back to Shanghai in 1940s. On the third floor, with the help of trolley buses and menus of that period, visitors can experience unique emotional appeal of the past Shanghai. Lido, Parliment, Broadway, and Queen—four famous ballrooms in Shanghai before liberation. Shanghai Classical Hotel has hosted heads of many countries, ambassadors and celebrities, such as First Lady of Russia, Mrs. Putin, Singapore President Nathan, former First Lady of China, Ms. Wang Guangmei, well-known business man in Hongkong, Mr. Run Run Shaw, and Indonesia’s President Megawati, who came to Shanghai to attend APEC conference.

We walked around the Yu Garden Tourism Area

Yu Garden Old Street: Concentrated with special traditional products of Shanghai old area, the old street fully reflects the management characteristics of “famous, special, excellent and exquisite”.

Nine Turn Bridge & Lake-Center Tea House: By the name of “Pavilion in Lake Center”, Lake Center Tea House is the oldest tea house in Shanghai. Together with Nine Turn Bridge, they are the symbols of Shanghai.

We arrived well after sundown, and as we walked around in the dark, the beauty was made even more vibrant by the bazillion (yes, that’s a number) lights.

And then finally, the dinner.

I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what I was eating. Only one item made me stop and behave, that was the jelly fish. The lobster more than made up for it!

I look back on my days in Shanghai, not very many, and they all went so quickly. Thanks to those who followed me on Instagram, and thanks to everyone else who put up with me on re-entry. Now, on to what’s next!

I believe in an earlier post I mentioned the cab/limo/death mobile I took from the airport to the hotel the night I arrived to Shanghai. It was the first of many harrowing automobile rides I experienced over the course of the four days I survived in the city with roads filled with cars, busses, bikes and mopeds.

The first car I rode in did not have a working seatbelt where I was sitting. Actually, over the course of the four days, only one cab did have a functioning seatbelt. So every time, I just made sure my door was locked, in the event the car rolled, I believed would not get thrown from the vehicle.

The first taxi driver got the car up to speeds of 150kh. I only know that because the way he whipped around other cars on the freeway, I thought they were standing still. I get traffic. I do. I talked about it in this Minute here. I don’t know how long the ride was, I only hoped that I would live long enough to get out of the car in one piece.

I arrived at my hotel, shaken and stirred, and was surprised when the driver yelled at me for not giving him a tip. I had read that tips were already figured in to the bill. Maybe I looked American and he thought I would tip him. Anyway, I didn’t think I’d ever see him again, so I wasn’t worried about fall out from offending him.

The walk from my hotel to the conference center was actually only about 20 minutes. If you happened to be able to read Chinese characters and and knew which way you were going. It was a comparatively short (5-7 minute) cab ride, which would hardly garner a long distance fare or potential tip. Some taxi drivers told the young man at my hotel that they “didn’t know where the conference center was.” I believe they turned down the fare because they DID know where the conference center was, and actually hated driving around there because they knew the roads were a veritable death trap.

When I was ready to head to the conference center that first morning, the concierge at my hotel helped me explain to the willing taxi driver where I needed to go. It was 7:30am, the roads were MUCH calmer. I could actually experience the city, see buildings, people, architecture. I was surprised at how much construction was going on in town. At one point, I thought I heard gunshots, but it was firecrackers in the base of the construction of a new highrise. I suppose it was to ward off evil spirits.

The Chinese have an interesting concept of a roundabout. There are no rules. We have rules here, I know. I did this Minute to point out what the rules are. But it would not have helped. There are no lines, no clear driving lanes. I believe the road “rules” in Shanghai are only suggested concepts that no one follows. I was surprised I did not see many accidents. Only the results of two fender benders in fact. (Upon my return, I learned that our friend Rennie had been INVOLVED in three accidents over the course of a week. I’m glad I didn’t know that!)

The last day of the conference, I got a late start heading out. And for some reason, it is more difficult to get a taxi on Wednesday than any other day. When a driver finally did agree to take me to my destination, he drove slower than every other cabbie had.

And then, without warning (or maybe he did and I just didn’t hear him) he pulled over on a busy road and parked the car by a public toilet.

Parked. The. Car.

And got out.

And left me there as the cars whizzed by.

I was in such a state of shock, I didn’t even whip out my camera for photo evidence. That’s pretty big shock my friend. Adrenaline was rushing. What to do? Get out? Hail another cab? Walk towards…where?

He came back in that long/short minute without a word and drove me to the hotel. I’m still counting my blessings.

Behold a 1 minute video of an instant experience of the roads while I was safely ensconced in the body of a 50 passenger tourist bus. There is no way I would have been brave enough to video the close calls I experienced while I was a passenger in every cab. I was too busy sucking in my breath, flinching and/or closing my eyes in anticipation of impact.

As an Acoustic Neuroma surgery survivor (taking into account those who are W&W and post-radiation) I often read questions that come up regarding air travel. “Is it safe? Comfortable? Possible?” I am here to say, “YES!” and even in the extreme.

I tried to write about 48 hours after I arrived home from getting on a plane in Dallas at the end of my ANA Board meeting. 48 hours before that I was on a plane returning from six days in Shanghai to go to Dallas for said meeting. The operative word is “tried” because for those 96 hours, I felt like I was just barely able to function, putting one foot in front of the other, being “awake” because it was light out, and blessing the universe when dark came so that I could sleep.

Until then, I could barely put pen to paper (or hands to keyboard) for much more than a few characters together in an email, on an Instagram photo or response to a Facebook comment. But as I started thinking about the past ten days, and how amazing they were, I knew I was ready to share them (if anyone was interested.)

So I’m breaking my trip to Shanghai into a few postings, about the touristy part of the trip itself, I will post on my personal blog, not on the ANA page. It will include more scenic photos and stories of my sometimes successful-at-traveler, sometimes culture-clashing experiences.

There is an earlier one about the business of the International Acoustic Neuroma Conference in Shanghai. There are some photos and videos along with that, which was shared on the ANA website as well.

DAY 1

After 14 hours of travel and the 15 hour time difference, I was TOAST! Getting through customs in Vancouver BC was pretty simple, then getting out of the airport in Shanghai was equally easy. Thankful for my personal travel agent Genny Cohn who encouraged me to arrange for roomy seating on the plane, and there was a seat between me and my row-mate (even though she quickly took up both seats and curled up to sleep) at least I had room for my legs. Note to self-take shoes OFF on long distance flights.

Did I mention that there was a higher than usual quota of screaming children on this flight? And the ear plugs offered by the airline were lame. Lucky for me I brought my own from home. No baby can scream loud enough to break through them!

Getting off the plane was like walking through a paparazzi line, only instead of calling the names of celebrities, they were all yelling “taxi.” In my exhaustion, I realized that yes, I needed a taxi. 450RMB later, I was in a taxi that at times went speeds of up to 150kh. When I safely arrived at my hotel, I found out it should have only cost 200RMB. Lesson #1 learned. I chose a Marriot for two reasons. I knew they would speak English, and I wanted the points. 😉

The hotel had quite a spread of evening repast. I was too tired to eat, and tried to sleep, to get ready for my first day in China.

Good morning Shanghai! #nofacebook #notwitter #thankgodforinstagram

GOOD MORNING SHANGHAI this was the view from my 9th floor hotel room window. If you see the two taller buildings on the left, the spire of the Pearl Hotel can be seen in the grey haze. That’s the neighborhood where the conference was taking place, a 20 minute walk, and 12 minute “Mr. Toad’s-Wild-Taxi-Ride.”

After I checked in, I had half the day to wander. I took another cab to the west side, and visited the Jewish Refugee area. I had no idea this even existed until the day before I left home. Check this out if you are interested. www.shanghaijews.org.cn/English/ Thank you Becky Elmendorf!

not the same neighborhood as the conference. #notwitter #nofacebook #thankgodforinstagram

This was one area where the Jewish refugees lived in Shanghai in the 40’s. Very European feel to the construction, and the colors were vibrant compared to the cement grey and blackened wood of the side streets.

I thought that if you clicked on any of these photos, you would see them larger. Sadly, no. Anyway, my maiden name “Simon” was shared by many refugees. I don’t know if any of them were relatives of my family, but it does explain (at least to me) why I feel like my Chinese friends are like family.

Peter Max, the artist who made his rise to fame in the age of 7-up had family members saved in Shanghai. He was always one of my favorites when I was in high school.

After the museum, I finally realized I hadn’t eaten a meal in about 36 hours and was ravenous. I didn’t want to go to a touristy place. I wanted to find a local spot!

Two men in the gift shop at the museum recommended a place to each lunch (street food) but not out of a cart. This was two blocks from the museum, but right across the street from a sweet little park. It smelled good, looked clean, and there were other normal looking people eating there. I decided my hunger overwhelmed my fear of the unknown.

This young man was very sweet, even looked pleasant while I took his photo. After I got home,I asked my personal interpreter (Caleb) to translate whatever the He*! I ate (the dish on the far right of the sign) and he could only tell me “peanut sauce.”

Yes, that is the evil green herb in that soup. I did taste the soup, I’m not a heathen, but I did not do more than that. The dumplings were filled with greens, I think broccoli and bok choy, and smothered in a tasty peanut sauce. I ate every bite.

Entrance to the park

This sign was at the entrance to the park across from the restaurant were I had lunch. It was very calming and serene there, unlike the roads and sidewalks.

Meeting of the Minds!

I thought these men were so beautiful. I was trying to figure out if they were playing checkers or some other game.

I arrived back at the conference center, and still had a few hours to kill. The concierge at the hotel suggested I take the pedestrian trolly over to the Bund. It’s 4 minutes, I tried to load the video here, but it’s too big of a file. Here is the YouTube link if you want to see it.

In keeping with Caleb’s photo journal, I was amazed at how many people were at the Bund walking back and forth. I walked so much that first day, it was kind of surprising (and good, since I barely went anywhere for the next three days!) 😉

It was an amazing view to the east side of Shanghai from were I was. Yes, it’s very hazy there. My eyes were red and stinging like they haven’t been in years since I moved from L.A.

I got back to the east side before the sun set (and before the evening welcome.) This delicious champagne and lychee was not disappointing.

And as the sun set in the west over the far east, we called an end to a lovely day in Shanghai, looking forward to what the coming days would bring.

But wait, dinner was needed. Where better to get Shanghai dumplings than in Shanghai. I found a shopping mall and made my way to the food court. (I didn’t grow up in the Valley for nothing!) There was a bit of a communication breakdown, luckily a nice young man took pity on me and helped me figure out how to manuever through the food court. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. These were the most delicious things I ever ate, and there was so much sodium in them I swelled up like a balloon. My hands looked like Micky Mouse’s. It was worth it.

If you ever get to Shanghai, this is the place.

A final shot of the beautiful lights of the PuDong area. The photo of Toni&Guy is for my friend Emma!

As an Acoustic Neuroma surgery survivor (taking into account those who are W&W and post-radiation) I often read questions that come up regarding air travel. “Is it safe? Comfortable? Possible?” I am here to say, “YES!” and even in the extreme.

I started to write this post about 48 hours after I arrived home from getting on a plane in Dallas at the end of my ANA Board meeting. 48 hours before that I was on a plane returning from six days in Shanghai to go to Dallas for said meeting. For those 96 hours, I felt like I was just barely able to function, putting one foot in front of the other, being “awake” because it was light out, and blessing the universe when dark came so that I could sleep.

Until then, I could barely put pen to paper (or hands to keyboard) for much more than a few characters together in an email, on an Instagram photo or response to a Facebook comment. But as I started thinking about the past ten days, and how amazing they were, I knew I was ready to share them (if anyone was interested.)

So I’m breaking my trip to Shanghai into a few postings. This one is about the business of the International Acoustic Neuroma Conference in Shanghai. There are some photos and videos along with this. I’m sharing this on the ANA website as well.

The others, about the touristy part of the trip itself, I will post on my personal blog. It will include more scenic photos and stories of my sometimes successful-at-traveler, sometimes culture-clashing experiences. You are also welcome to enjoy that if you wish.

Dr. Tom Roland is responsible for my participation in this event. He was sitting on my right at a board meeting last fall, my good ear side, and said loud enough for me to hear that ANA should have a presence at the 7th Annual AN Conference. In Shanghai.

I love being a member of the Board of ANA. I work with the most amazing, committed, passionate people who do the work they do on behalf of ANA FOR FREE. I know I have strengths and gifts to share with ANA. I know that one thing that makes me feel good is to be grateful and to use my gifts for good.

I could see myself in Shanghai, walking up to these complete strangers, these internationally known and respected doctors and surgeons, and shamelessly share the existence and mission of ANA. I would tell them I was a lucky patient, supported and educated by ANA. (This was harder than I thought it would be.)

Three months after that October board meeting, I was told I could represent ANA at the International Conference. I purchased a round trip airline ticket, made a hotel reservation, applied for my Visa and watched the clock tick the days away until my departure date of April 10.

I arrived to the Conference location early in the morning on the first day of registration.

Like a kid on the first day of school, or a crazed fan at a rock concert, I could barely contain myself. I was looking forward, anticipating what I had hoped to be not only a successful trip, but one that would justify the amount of time I had spent sitting in an airplane, away from home, just because I thought it was a good idea at the time.

When my cab pulled up to the building, a billboard sign announced the event. I felt like I was at the AN Olympics.

Registration opened before 9am. I know I must have been one of the first people there..every station had someone there, ready to help in whatever language they spoke.

I picked up my name tag and my bag full of conference materials.

Then I had 8 more hours to kill until the opening gathering. I went into the hotel next door where a majority of the conference faculty presenters and delegates were staying and sat in the “coffee shop.”
Sitting directly across from me was Tom Roland. He invited me to sit with him, and we chatted about the conference, about ANA, about his being on faculty as a presenter, and showed me the beautiful porcelain pen gift they gave him to thank him that was given to him with his conference materials.

The little one is mine. (I like my pen just fine.)

At 6:30 there was a reception to welcome the delegates and faculty. I met two surgeons from Denmark who told me that they use the ANA materials in their country and they are very helpful. Shortly thereafter, the surgeons who are on the ANA MAB came in, Rick Friedman, Marc Schwartz and Mike Link. They introduced me to their associates. Marc was kind enough to point out Dr. Gareth Evans, a surgeon from UK who was very happy to chat with me about ANA and his presenting topic, NF2 and treatment options.

The next morning came very early. I don’t know why mornings come so early when I’m away from home, but this one did. There was a surgical presentation at 7:30, I skipped that. The opening ceremony came at 8 with full welcome by the International Committee President. (sorry about the formatting of this video…it’s only about 30 seconds. But it takes up two pages on the screen until you click the “play” button.)

In my packet of materials was a book with descriptions of all of the presentations, panels, keynotes and faculty members. I had carefully looked through the night before the first day to decide which “courses” I would attend. I chose them based upon my personal interest and curiosity, as well as by presenter. Here are a small fraction of what was offered, the schedule of presentations that I attended:

SUNDAY:

Registration
Welcome Gathering
MONDAY: Opening with full ceremonial dance which is sadly, way too big to post here. Trust me, it was incredible.

Keynote Dr. Brackmann from HEI about his surgical experiences
Keynote Dr. Madjid Sammi from Germany about his surgical experiences and offer of advice to new surgeons
Panel on Facial and Hearing preservation in AN. This included case studies which I found interesting because on occasion, surgeons would have different advice for how to treat the AN. They showed videos of surgery…at times I did have to look away.
Keynote Dr. Evans from UK who has done extensive research and treatment of NF2
Chinese Experience
AN Management
Giant Tumor/Hearing Restoration Many of the surgeries presented included implantations of CIs or ABIs when hearing loss was confirmed (after translab)
Treatment Options I attended this seminar because it referenced “transonic approach” in treatment…I’m still not sure what that was.

I also spoke directly with doctors from Japan, England, Germany, France and the Ukraine.

Keynote Dr. Takanori Fukushima from Japan on hearing preservation
Panel on treatment of NF2- There were a few videos of surgery, I took my glasses off to blur the details, but didn’t look away.
Panel on Mayo Clinic Experiences and results of partial completion of Quality of Life Survey
Panel on post Radiosurgery treatment – a lot of comparative results based on W&W, post surgery and post radiation in response (or contrast) to the comments made by surgeons. There was also a physician who was SUPPOSED to talk about tinnitus, but at the start of his presentation, he said it was too difficult to discuss. NO KIDDING! Sheesh.
Decision Making with David Moffat of England
Panel on Management of Facial Palsy – fascinating and hopeful
Decision Making with Marc Schwartz of HEI
WEDNESDAY:
Panel on NF2 Challenging cases
Keynote by Dr. William Slattery from HEI on Middle Fossa
Keynote Dr. J. Thomas Roland from NYU on NF2

Panel on treatment of AN after failed radiation – I’m not sure how, but I appear to have turned the corner here. Not only did I watch with sincere interest, but I could recognize the facial nerve!

Vestibular Complications – This was the first time I had heard the term “pre-hab” in relation to pre-treatment vestibular evaluation and therapy. This is used in South Africa and Sweden. I’m hoping more patients around the world have this an an option.

I also spoke with doctors from England, Egypt, Canada, Sweden

Closing: It was announced that there were 500 faculty, delegates and participants from over 300 countries! I spoke with 25 from 10…. not too bad.

It was also announced that the next International Symposium would be held at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Pretty exciting!

OVERALL:

All of the presentations were offered in English. The keynotes, when presented by non-English speakers, were also posted on their power point. Most of the people there spoke some limited level of conversational English, but absolutely fluent French (in my observation) in addition to their native language.

There was little if any discussion regarding how the treatments are financed, whether it’s by private pay, insurance, government or general health care. It will be interesting to connect with and follow up with patients from around the world.